Blackhawks tame Sharks with quick overtime goal

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Brent Seabrook scored 41 seconds into overtime and the Chicago Blackhawks edged the San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Sunday to boost their home winning streak to seven games.

Brent Sopel, Patrick Kane and John Madden also had goals for the Blackhawks, who overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the clash of Western Conference division leaders.

"That was huge for us," Seabrook told reporters after scoring his second goal for the season, the other also falling in overtime.

"It was a big test for us. They are the top team in our conference."

The win capped a perfect four-game homestand for the Blackhawks, who now face six in a row on the road.

"We took four out of four here in the United Center, so it gives us a lot of confidence," said Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, delighted with a run that included victories over top Western teams San Jose, Colorado and Los Angeles.

The visiting Sharks, who have the best record in the NHL (14-4-4), scored twice within 45 seconds in the second period for their two-goal advantage before Kane and Madden found the net to level the score for the Central Division Blackhawks.

"Down two against a top team like that, you are not very often going to come back and get two," said Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville after his team improved to 10-2-1 at home this season.

Jason Demers's powerplay goal for the Sharks broke a 1-1 tie with the second period just 1:14 old. Patrick Marleau boosted the lead to two at 1:59, but it would be San Jose's last score.

Dany Heatley had the Pacific Division leaders' first period tally.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Ian Ransom)